Ireland and Denmark joined the European Community in 1973, at the same time as the United Kingdom. Ireland is located in the British Isles and shares land and sea borders with the United Kingdom. Denmark sits on the Jutland peninsula and neighbouring islands. Both the Faroe Islands and Greenland are Danish overseas territories (but are not members of the EU). As the first new members of the club since its foundation in 1958, their entry marked a significant change for the European Community. While many European projects have been welcomed in both countries, in recent years their electorates have expressed increasing scepticism about EU integration. Nevertheless, both have experienced significant economic growth since joining, making them amongst the most dynamic economies in Europe.
Recent History
For much of the postwar period, Danish politics was dominated by the Social Democratic Party. However, since 2001 a centre-right government has been in power, which has taken a much stronger line on policies such as immigration. In 2005 the Danish government faced a major crisis when protests erupted across the world in response to cartoons depicting the Islamic Prophet Mohammed that were published in a Danish newspaper.
Ireland's history over the last ten years has been dominated by the incredible economic transformation that the country has undergone. Another important issue has been the progress of the Northern Ireland peace process, in which the Irish government has played an important role. Ireland has also sought a place on the world stage, as was seen during the very successful 2004 Irish Presidency of the European Council.
Government Structure
Ireland is a parliamentary republic. The Head of State is the President, currently Mary McAleese, who has a mainly ceremonial role. Executive power rests with the cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, and the Parliament (Oireachtas). The Parliament is made up of two chambers - the lower house (Dáil) and the Senate. The Dáil is the main decision-making chamber and its members are elected by proportional representation for terms of five years. The current government is a coalition of the Fine Fáil, Progressive Democrat parties and the Green Party, led by Prime Minister Brian Cowen.
Denmark is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The Head of State is Queen Margrethe II, but executive power rests with the Prime Minister, the cabinet and the Parliament (Folketing). The Folketing has one chamber made up of one hundred and seventy-nine MPs representing Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The current Danish government, led by Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, is made up of a coalition between the liberal Venstre Party and the Conservative People's Party.
Relations with the EU
Ireland and Denmark's decisions to join the European Community were closely linked to the decision of the UK to join in 1973. As a former part of the United Kingdom, Ireland had close cultural and economic links with Britain, while for Denmark, the UK represented one of its principle export markets, meaning that both countries felt that it was in their interests to follow the UK's lead. While Denmark was a well developed economy before joining, Ireland was economically backward when it joined, had a shrinking population and a huge reliance on agriculture. Since joining the European Community, Ireland's economy has been transformed, to the point where it is the most affluent society in the EU. This is in part due to the greater trade possibilities within the single market.
Yet both countries have had mixed relationships with the EU. In 1992, Danish voters rejected the Maastricht Treaty when it was put to them in a referendum. In a similar backlash against the EU, the Irish electorate voted against the Nice Treaty in a 2001 referendum. On both occasions, the treaties were later accepted following further votes, yet they demonstrated the mixed attitude of both countries towards closer integration into the EU. More recently, whilst Denmark ratified the Lisbon Treaty in April 2008, Ireland rejected it at a referendum in June 2008. Ireland was the only member state due to hold a referendum on the Treaty so there was fierce campaigning before the vote.
To be implemented, the Treaty must be ratified by all member states so there is now confusion about how the EU will proceed; either abandoning the Treaty, or encouraging Ireland to hold another referendum. Following the 2008 referendum the media accused European politicians of 'bullying' Ireland to ratify the Treaty by stating that there was no alternative. While Ireland is a member of the Eurozone, Denmark negotiated an opt-out from full Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the adoption of the Euro. This decision was confirmed in a referendum in 2000. Ireland does not belong to the Schengen area.
Facts and Figures
- Ireland had the highest GDP per head in the EU in 2004 at $35, 767.
- Denmark and Ireland both enjoy relatively low unemployment. In 2005, the Danish unemployment rate stood at 4.9%, while the Irish rate was 4.3%.
- Ireland has the highest fertility rate in the EU with 1.8 children born for every woman between 16 and 49 years of age.
Technical Terms
Proportional Representation: electoral system where the overall number of votes determines the distribution of seats.
Opt-out: the ability of a member state to permanently exempt itself from part of an EU treaty.
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